Paula Deen is charging ahead with her "comeback," regardless of whether or not she's been putting her buttery foot in her mouth — like when she recently compared her "struggles" with "that black" gay NFL play, Michael Sam.

Are we surprised? No, that's exactly how we'd figure someone like that would operate!

We DO think she should slow it down a bit… maybe think before she speaks, holds off on going blitzkrieg trying to rebuild her empire.

You've been on your "comeback" for about 30 seconds and you're already saying shizz like this?? Do you think $75 million grew on trees??

Not only did Paula compare her own "struggle" (which she earned fair and square) with Michael Sam's struggle as the first openly gay NFL hopeful — but she also found some new 'empathy' inside of her… empathy for other figures going through controversy, like that homophobic Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson!

If you've forgotten, Paula's empire came to a halt last year after she admitted to using the N-word during a trial. She's now trying to rise from the ashes like a Phoenix. A Phoenix that says horrible things from time to time.